Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese

No roast dinner is complete without a Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese bake. This is the easiest, cheesiest & most darn right delicious side dish you’ll ever make!

You guys, I think my love for cheese just gets out of control this time of year. It was only the other day I uploaded my Spicy Bacon Mac and Cheese and now this… I’m just working on my winter bod okay 😅 but seriously who can resist cheese when it looks this good!?

Cauliflower cheese was a staple in my house growing up, especially as a side dish for roast dinners and especially around the festive season.

If I’m honest back then it was the only way I’d eat cauliflower, but on reflection is there realistically anything you wouldn’t eat if an entire block of cheddar was melted on top?

So, what makes this the best cauliflower cheese recipe?

Well firstly there’s broccoli, and we all love broccoli. Even if only when smothered in melted cheese.

Secondly, and this is my absolute game-changing step, pre-roasting the broccoli and cauliflower.

Yup, no boiling, no steaming, just good old fashioned roasting.

Why roast the broccoli and cauliflower?

Flavour – Roasting the broccoli and cauliflower in garlic, olive oil and S+P gives so much flavour that boiling just can’t provide. Broccoli and cauliflower are the hero ingredients of this dish so to me it makes no sense to add them into the sauce unseasoned.

Texture – When you boil or steam the broccoli and cauliflower it holds on to a lot of water (especially in the broccoli) and it’s released when you bake in the oven. And we all know cheese + water = a hot mess. When you roast them you also get a nice crispy crunchy texture which beats sloppy veg any day!

How to make broccoli and cauliflower cheese

Roast the broccoli and cauliflower in a baking dish until lightly charred and fork tender.

Meanwhile melt butter into a suitably sized pan.

Stir in flour then gradually pour in milk.

Add cheese, nutmeg and seasoning.

Add in your roasted broccoli and cauliflower.

Add then it’s just a case of popping it back in the dish and pouring over enough cheese to last a lifetime.

Oven time!

Alrighty, by this point your house is going to smell insanely gorgeous.

Once it’s out the oven I like to firstly shed a tear because I love cheese so much, then let it sit for 5 mins (and consequently shed a few more tears). This will let it firm up a little and possibly save you burning your mouth into oblivion). Then grab some fresh chives and sprinkle those bad boys over.

How to make Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese (Full Recipe & Video)

No roast dinner is complete without a Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese bake. This is the easiest, cheesiest & most darn right delicious side dish you'll ever make!

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: British

Keyword: Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese

Servings: 6

Calories: 301kcal

Author: Chris

Ingredients

200g / 7ozBroccoli florets

200g / 7ozCauliflower florets

500ml / 2 cupsMilk, at room temp

1.5 cups / 150gCheddar, grated (save 1/3 for topping)

1 cup / 100gGruyere, grated

2tbspFlour

2tbspUnsalted Butter

1tbspDijon Mustard

1tspGarlic, minced

few pinches ofNutmeg

Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Olive Oil

Fresh Chives, to garnish

Method

Pop your broccoli, cauliflower and garlic in a roasting dish with a good pinch of salt & pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Roast in the oven at 200c/390f for 15-20mins or until lightly charred and fork tender.

Meanwhile, melt your butter into a suitable sized pan and stir in your flour to form a paste. Gradually pour in your milk, continually whisking to avoid lumps forming.

Stir in your mustard gruyere and 2/3 of your cheddar. Test for seasoning then add in your broccoli and cauliflower.

Pop back into the roasting dish, sprinkle over the rest of your cheddar and pop back in the oven for 20mins or until golden and bubbly. Sprinkle with finely chopped chives.

Watch how to make it!

Recipe Notes

a) Calories - Based on using 1 tbsp olive oil and shared between 6 people.

If you loved this Cauliflower Cheese recipe then be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!

Chris

Hey, I'm Chris! Thanks for stopping by. I believe that good food should bring a smile to your face and hug your soul with every bite. Here you'll find fun and delicious comfort food that even the most beginner of home cook can master. More from me? Just click the pic!